Hosted over three dynamic days of presentations, panel debates, and networking, the event underscored how decarbonisation, digitalisation, and alternative fuels are reshaping the cement industries in the Middle East.
Charting the Course to 2030
The conference opened on Monday, 10 February, with a welcome address from Thomas Armstrong, Managing Editor of International Cement Review, followed by Jim O’Brien (CSR Consulting, Ireland), who set the tone with a critical review of the industry’s progress toward its 2030 climate targets.
Also in the opening session, Tony Hadley (Tony Hadley African Advisory Ltd, Portugal), examined macroeconomic trends impacting cement markets worldwide, stressing both the risks and emerging opportunities for producers operating in a rapidly evolving global economy.
One of the day’s early highlights was Frederic Albrecht, CEO, CBI Africa (Ghana), who gave an overview of the CBI Ghana calcined clay project, more of which can be read here 'Ghana's green cement breakthrough'.
Mosleh Alemrani (Ministry of Industry & Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia), also unveiled plans for decarbonising the Saudi cement and construction sectors as part of the kingdom’s wider sustainability vision.
Panel discussions brought together CEOs and technical experts from Arabian Cement, Emirates Cement, JSW Cement, thyssenkrupp Polysius, KHD Humboldt Wedag, IKN GmbH, and UTIS, sharing perspectives on oxyfuel technology, AI-driven process control, predictive maintenance, and operational excellence.
The afternoon delved deeper into chemical solutions for clinker reduction, advanced AI applications for plant optimisation, and innovations in rotary kiln process control—a clear sign that the digital transformation of cement manufacturing is gathering pace.
